"Senator Patty Murray, a senior Democrat, slammed the firings announced by Trump budget chief Russell Vought as illegal and "nothing new" from an administration that has ignored spending laws since Trump returned to power in January. "No one should be intimidated by these crooks," she fumed on Friday. "The way we reopen government is compromise, a simple concept every American understands - and no amount of threats will change that.""
"Democrats see the funding fight as their first real moment of leverage. And they've made health care costs, a pocketbook issue they're counting on to resonate with voters ahead of next year's midterm elections, their focus. "They just cannot fathom having to deal with us," said Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii, a member of the Democratic leadership who has previously struck deals with Republicans. "It's making them angry. But this is not about how we all feel. This is about premiums doubling for 24 million people.""
President Donald Trump's move to order permanent layoffs amid a government shutdown intensified partisan tensions and deepened Democratic distrust of Republicans. Democrats labeled the firings illegal and emblematic of an administration that has bypassed spending laws through executive actions. Bipartisan deal-making has diminished as Republicans advanced partisan spending and tax measures and delayed negotiations with Democratic leaders. Democrats view the funding fight as leverage to press health care cost concerns ahead of midterm elections. Republicans dismiss Democratic tactics as political opportunism tied to a liberal base. The shutdown has become one of the longest in US history with no immediate resolution.
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